You know you've succeeded in living a different lifestyle when your kids ask for a glass of Maggie milk because it came from a cow named Maggie. Life around here can be kind of crazy, but with six kids, two milk cows, and other animals, what do you expect?
Join us as we explore life on the farm, large family homeschooling, real food and frugal living here at Grouse Creek Farm.

Pages

Monday, March 17, 2014

5 Favorite Outside Activities

With spring here, the kids and I have once again been enjoying the great outdoors. We love to play together as a family, and here are five super easy games that we enjoy. You don't need any fancy equipment for these. And they are appropriate for kids with a wide age span.

1. Red Light/Green Light

I use this game with all of my little ones to teach stop and go. One person (It) goes to one side of the yard. The others line up along the other end. When It says, "Green Light", everyone else moves forward quickly. When It says, "Red Light" everyone freezes. Continue until someone touches It. Rotate who is It.

2. Building a Fort

We've used hay and boards, tree branches and pine needles, and even brought out blankets to drape over the clothesline. Complicated and simple possibilities abound.

No matter how we build it, the kids all love it. They'd stay in there all day if I let them. Eating a snack or a picnic lunch in the fort makes it even more special.

Here's the latest fort. Jayme and I built this one during our special time a week or so ago. It is still standing strong despite winds and rain. We just used a tree branch that was dangling low the ground and started adding pine needles. Some raking work cleaned out underneath and added some depth to the fort.

3. Hide & Seek Tag

A fun twist on both games that seems to level the playing field for multi-age participation. One person is It. It goes in the house (or to another designated area) and closes his or her eyes while counting to 20. Everyone else runs and hides.

The goal is to make it to the flagpole (or another space) without being touched by It. Hide as long as you want, and then start running for the base.

You can change it up a bit by requiring jumping or crawling to base and as It.

4. Scavenger Hunt

Ellie is helping Sydney look for a green leaf. Great way to practice colors and counting!

Who can find a red flower, three pine cones and a chicken feather first? No matter what environment you have outside, you can adapt a scavenger hunt for your location. You can get fancy and create a printable for your kids, or just scribble it out on paper. An audible cue works too.

Get hunting!

5. Inventor

One of our favorites! Everyone goes out and gathers four pieces of the same object. Hay rope, twigs, firewood. Whatever they can think of. They just need enough for everyone who will be playing (for us four).

We pile everything in the middle of an outside table. Everyone then takes one of each object. Now you might have a rock, a twig and a piece of rope.

Your goal? To invent the coolest thing in the time limit. We've had twigs turned apple launchers; bows and arrows, teeter totters and a toy cat swing set.

It's amazing to see what creativity comes out.

You can decide what "extras" can be used. We've allowed everyone to select three of their own special items. We've set out extra rope, tape and containers before. And we've stuck with the only use these items rule.

After the time limit runs out, have a show and tell session. Everyone gets to share their work. This is my favorite part. The kids get to explain what they made and how it works.

Make it work for your family. Just decide on the rules at the beginning of each round. Then get to work. See what you can create!

The start of a broom? Or a fan? Maybe a fancy helmet decoration? Let your imagination be your guide.

Meet My Family

Here are the kids at Grouse Creek Farm

Jayme

Our oldest blessing. Jayme is 12, and a huge helper aound the farm. She is in 7th grade, and can often be found with her nose in a good book. Or writing. Or using Scratch to program something. Click her picture to see her first blog.

Owen

Owen, our 8 year old, has Angelman Syndrome--a deletion on the 15th chromosome. He may not speak, but he always has a lot to say.

Jeffrey

Jeffrey is 6. He enjoys being outside, and is our chief egg collector. He started school this year, and loves it!

Ellie

Our 4 year old Ellie is our girly-girl. She loves dressing up and painting her nails. But, being a girly doesn't stop her from being useful and hardworking on the farm. She helps to feed the cows hay, and chases chickens around the yard. She is joining Jeffrey with school activities this year.

Sydney

3 year old Sydney is full of curiosity and energy. She loves life!

Simon

Our 1 year old. Simon is a delight. He loves to chatter and play with cars. He drives them around on his knees and likes to run over toes of anyone in his way! He is also our climber.

About Me

My name is Lisa. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Bryan. Together we have six children, Jayme, Owen, Jeffrey, Ellie, Sydney and Simon.
I enjoy homeschooling our kids, cooking my family real food, and spending time taking care of the day-day farm chores here at Grouse Creek Farm.
We are a Christian family and strive to please the Lord in all that we do.